THE WORD

LE REGARD EN FEU

The ad campagne for fall 2010 of Balenciaga gives the feeling of looking at a painting from the renaissance - a modern Mona Lisa.

The hint of a smile - the solemn expression and stoic posture juxtaposed on a backdrop à la baroque with dramatic red nuances - like dusk from a fire.

It is an intense backdrop for this portrait where the paint brushes of da Vinci are replaced by a shot through the lenses of photographer, Steven Meisel.

The collaboration between Ghesquière and Meisel is proving to be consistent. Through the last seasons ads the concept of movment is in a still and enigmatic expression and yet the photos are alluring. It makes one curious and intrigued to surch into the intensity of the colors that so often are used as a backdrop or as in this latest ad the assemble of eclectic models that seem to rise from a field of fire.

The vision of Nicolas Ghesquière for the fall 10 collection built on the idea of everyday aspects that one is confronted with.

During the 'défiler' Ghesquière explained this with the idea of domestic things. An idea of taking things that are very usual as plastic boxes for food, foam packaging - things that are simple and of every day and explore it through the image of Balenciaga.

The idea was interesting to explore with the concept of the Balenciaga touch. The most elaborate pieces felt like a protected shield - one could almost feel like a warrior woman, a modern warrior.

The vision got more clear at the presentation of the collection at Balenciagas’ showroom last February. The colorful clothes that looked like soft plastic in the end of the show with a print of letters and lines in different colors were like recycled pieces of newspapers as well as a picture take of a cabinet under the kitchen sink where all the cleaning products are placed.

MA09 has made a selection for this fall that is concentrated on the basic clothes where many of the pieces can go from day to evening wear.

A few seasons back Balenciaga had a beautiful selection of knitted sweaters and cardigans. This is back for this fall and many of the different styles will be in store at MA09. The capsule line of silk dresses will also be well represented at MA09 as well as a few from the main line.

Balenciaga will be in store at MA09 in the beginning of september.

PRESS

Linn Lømo

MA09 have taken in the first edition collection of norwegian designer Linn Lømo. Her collections is getting more and more attention in the New York circles.

In the june issue of W magazine, Cate Blanchett is feautred with the earings of Lømo. The story goes that it was the actress herself who asked for these lovely pair of spike/ball earings from Lømo and so what could a designer do, but to give them!

Best,

tmf

NEWS IN STORE

ANN DEMEULEMEESTER

LA MAISON

Rick Owens

For the viewing of Mr. Owens collections we are invited into his showroom at Place du Palais Bourbon in the 7th arrondissement in Paris.

It is a beautiful setting for a showroom, a house, a home. Even more so as one discovers the garden in the back.

It is intriguing as it is comforting visiting the house of Rick Owens.

Intriguing is the interior of hard concrete walls, celings and floors in an 18th century building. In contrast to the outside with a facade that resembles any other of the buildings on Place du Palais Bourbon, with the details of ornaments.

When entering the entrance door of the building a long corridor of mirrors leads one to a small door at the top of a staircase.

The first time one goes through one wonders about what 'world' will lay behind the door at the top. As if an 'Alice in wonderland' land with odd creatures and dark mysteries à la Owens would emerge behind it.

The door opens and a long and narrow room opens up. Everything is displayed, everything is open, everything can be seen.

Large metal furnitures, darkend in color in clean minimalist lines are placed along the wall that opens up to another room. A room as light as a day from the natural light from abowe shining down on the sculptural shoes displayed on long wooden tables.

The gaze comes back to the long and narrow room, looking strait forward, in the middle of it all - the garden. The hidden garden of Eden à la Owens unfolding slowly as one approaches the back.

For every step taken towards this garden another room is discovered.

Raw as it is pure and minimalist as it is warm - the concept of the interior and the vision of Owens is comforting as it is challenging. Like the naked truth, stripped bear to the bone with only the shadow layered around one as one moves. This is what the eye sees through the collection of clothes hung all a long the wall. Almost melting into the walls as it is accentuated by it. The body feels wrapped in by all the layers, feeling like ones second skin.

Finaly one is standing out in the garden in the middle of Paris and sits down with the feeling of having found a hidden secret.

Rick Owens fall 10 collection coming soon to MA09

Best,

tmf

NEWS IN STORE

STELLA MCCARTNEY

For the launch of the pre fall 2010 collection Stella McCartney had a short film made where a film crew followed every move from the backstage scene to the presentation that was held at the British embassy in Paris. A rather tea for two setting although there were more then two around the table.

short film at www.stellamccartney.com

The pre fall 2010 collection by Stella McCartney is seen as one of the stronger collections by the buyer of MA09. Pre collections have in recent years become as strong or sometimes even stronger then the ready to wear line from several of the designers MA09 works with. This means the pre collection has become as important as the fashion line of ready to wear.

For many designers the pre collection is replaced by capsule or edition lines. These lines gives the opportunity to rework pieces as well as creating specific lines of be it leather, jeans or black dresses. It is an interesting aspect for a brand where it is challenged in recreating every year specific pieces. The most notable piece for many designer houses have been the bag. Houses like Chanel, Balenciaga and most recently Proenza Schouler have all established a signature bag that has and is enduring time.

But back to Stella McCartney - the pre fall collection for 2010 is continuing the strong tailoring of suites that McCartney has become known for as well as delicate dresses playing with see through fabrics.

Get 'pre dressed' by Stella.

Best,

tmf

NEWS IN STORE

PROENZA SCHOULER

The pre fall 2010 collection from Proenza Schouler is in store.

Proenza Schouler is continuing the strong work of unique prints and styling of colors and textiles in this pre fall collection for 2010.

MA09 is very pleased to see the flock embracing this brands design and vision. The first delivery with the basic T's line prints has been as well received as the pre spring 2010 line. This gives confidence for the next collections that are to come to MA09.

Best,

tmf

THE WORD

'on a moment'

It has indeed been to long since our eyes have rested on the subtle lines by Ann Demeulemeester.

WWD feautred an inteview with Demeulmeester on her men's collection and her words brought back the feeling that emerges from wearing her clothes. As written in the beginning of the article - ' her namesake brand, offers a lesson in aging gracefully and taking one's time - '.

It is a poetic tale through a womans palette of black and white - Demeulmeester's journey. A true vision of design enduring the changes of time and still be as modern today as yesterday. Embraceing her age in every stage, looking forward in discovering what age gives her of confidence, experience and new adventures. The following of one's own path and not the trend is intriguing.

With an infusion of red in the fall 2010 collection for women, Demeulmeester reminds one of that passion one feel for the element of beeing dressed in the simplest designs as a farmers work clothes, but dark and glamouros as the finest textiles are drapped around the body and tailored with seems one can not see until one approaches and study its work.

As we are waiting for the fall 10 collection - a visite through her space in Antwerp.

Ann Demeulmeester - Antwerp store

Have a good weekend

Best,

tmf

TAKE A WALK...

BALENCIAGA homme

Nicolas Ghesquière is taking on the field of dressing a man.

With a collection for men - comes the first men's store of the house in Paris. Just steps away from the houses headquarters.

Opened during men's fashion week in Paris this July. The store in 5 rue Varenne offers a bleu view with a yellow touch.

Ghesquière continues the collaboration with french graphique and stark installations artist, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, with whom he collaborated on the Los Angeles store for Balenciaga.

8670 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles

With the LA store fresh in mind. The space in rue Varenne embodies the core of the vision Ghesquière has created for the house - an aquatic futuristic adventure in materials, cut and proportion.

The geometry of the space as the interior is light and minimalist, in contrast to the darker LA store . The subtle choice of color infusion with the bleu and yellow gives a luminos techno feel juxtaposed with the light wood and white surfaces gives the store, luxary wrapped up in todays technology.

BALENCIAGA HOMME, 5 rue Varenne, 75007 Paris

Ghesquière's references and influences from japanese culture, design and architecture, the archives of Balenciaga and his strong vision in his creative collaborations and work for the label have made its mark through the concept of the stores.

Get a 'retro futurism' experience chez Balenciaga.

Best,

tmf